Grizzlies at fault for Allen-Mayo gambling scrap

Grizzles teammates O.J. Mayo and Tony Allen had to be separated during a physical encounter that stemmed from a card game on the team’s charter flight Monday, according to team sources. Mayo owed Allen money from a card game called "Boo-Ray" and he became increasingly belligerent when asked to settle his debt.

HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Who exactly is to blame for Tony Allen and OJ Mayo scrapping over an unsettled debt on a team plane?

Well, Allen and Mayo have to shoulder a portion of the blame for acting in an unprofessional manner. However, so do the Memphis Grizzlies.

After all, most franchises have banned gambling. This was common sense after Gilbert Arenas and Javaris Crittenton drew guns on each other in the Washington Wizards’ locker room in attempt to settle a gambling debt.

Not the Grizzlies. They missed this tsunami sized warning sign. Of course, this wasn’t the first sign.

Years ago, Charles Oakley punched Tyrone Hill because he refused to ‘pay what he owed’ in a card game. ‘Oak’ and Hill were on different teams. They ‘happened’ to meet when their respected teams, the Toronto Raptors and Philadelphia 76ers, crossed path on the practice floor.

In short, players will act unprofessionally –if their team allows it. The Grizzlies allowed it. And now they have a mess on their hands.